203. Abraxas

Abraxas
Santana
1970

Tracks
1. Singing Winds, Crying Beasts
2. Black Magic Woman/Gypsy Queen
3. Oye Como Va
4. Incident at Neshabur
5. Se a Cabo
6. Mother's Daughter
7. Samba Pa Ti 
8. Hope You're Feeling Better
9. Nicoya


I pretty sure I listened to this album twice.  I think I may have listened to it before I went to Denver, but when I returned, I listened to it again because I couldn't remember it.  It is not exactly the most memorable album; it just kind of reminded me of a collection of songs that older couples probably dance to.


It is a pretty pleasant mix of both latin music and rock which made it pretty entertaining but nothing I will remember within two weeks.  


RATING: 2/5

202. McCartney

McCartney
Paul McCartney
1970

Tracks
1. Lovely Linda
2. That Would Be Something
3. Valentine's Day
4. Every Night
5. Hot As Sun Glasses
6. Junk
7. Man We Was Lonely
8. Oo You
9. Momma Miss America
10. Teddy Boy
11. Singalong Junk
12. Maybe I'm Amazed
13. Kree Nakoorie


My dad and I were recently talking about the Beatles' solo work and I think he made a really good point.  He said that George was the mystical one, Paul was the poppy one, and John was the "deep message" one.  When they were the Beatles, they blended together and took the edge off of each other's slightly abrasive personalities.  In their solo work, they all went back to their respective corners and just became slightly obnoxious.


I have just started to get nervous whenever I listen to the Beatles' solo works; I have just been hurt too many times (*looks off into the distance*).  However, I usually like really poppy, shallow stuff so I thought I would love this album.  Nope.  I was wrong.


Don't get me wrong.  I love "Silly Love Songs" as much as the next guy.  Just like I like "Imagine" and George's solo of "Here Comes the Sun".  What I didn't realize before this blog is that those songs are one in like thirty that these guys have done on their own and the rest are just pretty bad.  Even the critics agree with me on this one which is pretty rare.  This entire album is forgettable and pretty disappointing.

RATING: 2/5

201. Sweet Baby James

Sweet Baby James
James Taylor
1970

Tracks
1. Sweet Baby James 
2. Lo And Behold
3. Sunny Skies 
4. Steamroller
5. Country Roads 
6. Oh Susannah 
7. Fire And Rain
8. Blossom
9. Anywhere Like Heaven
10. Oh Baby Don't You Lose Your Lip On Me
11. Suite For 20 G


Oh, well that was just delightful.  My dad kept telling me to listen to this album.  He also says that I will love Tapestry and Devil in the White City.  Maybe I should start listening to him.


I think this guy rivals Cat Stevens for most uplifting music.  The song "Sunny Skies" is just so cheerful without coming across as cheesy so it is truly a delight.  We have all heard the song "Oh Susannah" but his version was both moving and original.  You can also watch him perform it with Johnny Cash on YouTube.


This is exactly the kind of album I needed today.  I have been kind of doubting my 1001 album journey but this reminded me why I am doing it.


RATING: 5/5

200. Fun House

Fun House
The Stooges
1970

Tracks
1. Down On The Street
2. Loose
3. T.V. Eye
4. Dirt
5. 1970
6. Fun House
7. L.A. Blues


200!  20% of the way there.


Any time I reach a milestone in the 1001 journeys, I usually write something cheesy-sounding about how much I have learned.  Yes, I felt like I have learned a lot with the album blog and I enjoy listening to the different albums.  But for some reason, my enthusiasm for this project is waning.  Maybe it is because no one reads this blog.  Maybe it is because Brie quit on me.  Maybe it because I am finding out my musical taste sucks and I will never be one of those cool intellectuals that can listen to Miles Davis without playing Freecell to distract myself from the boredom.  Or maybe it is because I don't feel at all qualified to write reviews on these albums so I feel like my writing is just plain sloppy.  Of course, I will continue to pursue this project because I don't like quitting things and I like listening to different kinds of music.


On that dark note, another shocker.  I hated this album.  I am not a punk rock or heavy metal fan. Actually, this guy I have a crush on (I have already been rejected by him) listens almost exclusively to heavy metal and I got to bring up Black Sabbath.  Fat lot of help that did to me.


Wow, why am I such a buzz kill today?  Anyway, if "T.V. Eye" is considered genius (Iggy just yelling nonsense), I am officially throwing in the towel and admitting defeat.  I mean, seriously, at that point, I am never going to understand music like I want to.

RATING: 0/5

199. John Barleycorn Must Die

John Barleycorn Must Die
Traffic
1970

Tracks
1. Glad
2. Freedom Rider
3. Empty Pages 
4. I Just Want You To Know
5. Stranger To Himself 
6. John Barleycorn
7. Every Mother's Son


Dufflepod readers, you may recall Traffic from their self-titled album awhile back in the sixties.  I really loved that album (especially the song "You Can All Join In").  This album is supposed to be infinitely better so of course, due to my horrible musical taste, I did not like it as much.


This album reminded me of The Fairport Convention; it was both jazzy and folksy.  Not my favorite combination.  Songs like "John Barleycorn" seemed to be trying just a bit too hard.  Traffic is definitely moving in a more artsy, mystical direction which comes across as annoying and pretentious to me.  I don't hate on music with a message but I feel like the message should come across more...effortlessly.

RATING: 3/5

198. Tea For The Tillerman

Tea For The Tillerman
Cat Stevens
1970

Tracks
1. Where Do The Children Play
2. Hard Headed Woman 
3. Wild World 
4. Sad Lisa 
5. Miles From Nowhere 
6. But I Might Die Tonight 
7. Longer Boats
8. Into White 
9. On The Road To Find Out 
10. Father And Son
11. Tea For The Tillerman


Okay, first of all, I cannot find my Richard III play and it is really pissing me off.  WHERE COULD IT BE????


Stop it guys!  I cannot fascinate you with the details of my life all day.  We have to get to the review; I'm sorry!  Anyway, everybody has heard of Cat Stevens.  I grew up with the song "If You Want to Sing Out, Sing Out".  He is one of those people that is sweet and doesn't know how to be anything else.  Each song on this album is pleasant and uplifting.  Even the sadder tracks are still hopeful and inspirational.  Great album to listen to on a Monday morning.

RATING: 5/5

197. Bridge Over Troubled Water

Bridge Over Troubled Water
Simon and Garfunkel
1970

Tracks
1. Bridge Over Troubled Water
2. El Condor Pasa
3. Cecilia
4. Keep The Customer Satisfied
5. So Long Frank Lloyd Wright
6. Boxer
7. Baby Driver 
8. Only Living Boy in New York
9. Why Don't You Write Me
10. Bye Bye Love
11. Song For The Asking


So this is my last Simon and Garfunkel album and I have to say I am a bit sad to see them go.  They had a great way of writing uplifting but poignant songs and I really enjoyed them.  I will see their solo work, though, which is evidently pretty bad.


Everybody has heard the song "Bridge Over Troubled Water" even if you don't think you have.  I think it is one of the most covered songs of all time.  Anyway, surprisingly enough, it is not the highlight of the album; I much preferred songs like "Baby Driver" and their cover of "Bye Bye Love".  Most of the songs had to do with Simon saying goodbye to Garfunkel which was pretty sweet.  Check it out.


RATING: 4/5